Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a thin, light, and portable system for measuring one or more parameters of a contact patch between a tire and a surface. The system may be configured with an array of sensors capable of being removable fixed to the surface. The array of sensors may measure the one or more parameters of the contact patch between the tire and the surface. Moreover, the system may include a scanner configured to interpret the measurements from the array of sensors as data and store the data.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a thin, light, and portable system for measuring one or more parameters of a contact patch between a tire and a surface. The system may be configured with an array of sensors capable of being removable fixed to the surface. The array of sensors may measure the one or more parameters of the contact patch between the tire and the surface. Moreover, the system may include a scanner configured to interpret the measurements from the array of sensors as data and store the data.

Abstract: A highly conductive fiber reinforced tubular antenna is composed of metal coated reinforcing fibers in a composite structure. The conductive fibers may be disposed in a tubular or cylindrical fashion unidirectionally parallel to or at an angle to the axis of the tube or cylinder, thus providing multifunctional properties of strength and conductivity. Alternatively, the conductive fibers may be non-woven in configuration and disposed on one or more wrapped layers to form the antenna. The fiber reinforced composites disclosed are both lighter and stronger than their metal counterparts, while the highly increased conductive surface area in the composite creates enhanced electrical or electromagnetic performance than tubular or cylindrical antennas made of metal or nonmetal composite structures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid pitcher that is specifically designed to be stackable. The present invention comprises a beverage pitcher for storing liquid with an internal handle and optionally with a pouring spout. The internal handle is a handle that is housed within the body of the liquid pitcher rather than protruding from the body of the liquid pitcher. The internal handle allows the pitcher to support the base of a subsequent pitcher placed within the first pitcher interior. The handle does not protrude from the body of the liquid pitcher and does not sacrifice any structural integrity because it has two points of attachment, which is an upgrade over currently available stackable liquid pitchers, whose handles largely only have a single point of attachment.

Abstract: A highly conductive fiber reinforced tubular antenna is composed of metal coated reinforcing fibers in a composite structure. The conductive fibers may be disposed in a tubular or cylindrical fashion unidirectionally parallel to or at an angle to the axis of the tube or cylinder, thus providing multifunctional properties of strength and conductivity. Alternatively, the conductive fibers may be non-woven in configuration and disposed on one or more wrapped layers to form the antenna. The fiber reinforced composites disclosed are both lighter and stronger than their metal counterparts, while the highly increased conductive surface area in the composite creates enhanced electrical or electromagnetic performance than tubular or cylindrical antennas made of metal or nonmetal composite structures.

Abstract: Weighted arrow shafts and other athletic equipment composed of hollow shafts are constructed from carbon/graphite fibers. Such carbon/graphite fiber material may be at least in part coated with nickel or other metal or alloy to alter the weight of the carbon/graphite fiber material and, thus, the weight or weight distribution of the athletic equipment along the length of the hollow shaft.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for installing a hammock upon a boat. A method of installing a hammock comprises the steps of: installing first and second hammock end mounting means upon the boat, the first and second mounting means each comprising one of a vertical mounting member and a suspending anchor to suspend ends of a hammock, where each vertical mounting member is affixed to a surface of the boat, the vertical member including a longitudinally extending member having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to a surface of the boat, the second end being elevated above the first end, and where each suspending anchor is affixed to an elevated structure of the boat, the anchor having one or more mounting surfaces engaging the elevated structure and one or more ratchets each receiving a strap extending about the elevated structure.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for installing a hammock upon a boat. A method of installing a hammock comprises the steps of: installing first and second hammock end mounting means upon the boat, the first and second mounting means each comprising one of a vertical mounting member and a suspending anchor to suspend ends of a hammock, where each vertical mounting member is affixed to a surface of the boat, the vertical member including a longitudinally extending member having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to a surface of the boat, the second end being elevated above the first end, and where each suspending anchor is affixed to an elevated structure of the boat, the anchor having one or more mounting surfaces engaging the elevated structure and one or more ratchets each receiving a strap extending about the elevated structure.

Abstract: An identification device attachable to a product is provided. The identification device includes a tag having at least one face for bearing identification information, and a tail having first and second ends. The tail is couplable to the tag at its first end such that it extends outwardly therefrom. The second end of the tail is adapted to pass through a portion of the product and thereafter be enlarged.

Abstract: An implantable microporous ePTFE tubular vascular graft exhibits long term patency, superior radial tensile strength and suture hole elongation resistance. The graft includes a first ePTFE tube and a second ePTFE tube circumferentially disposed over the first tube. The first ePTFE tube exhibits a porosity sufficient to promote cell endothelization, tissue ingrowth and healing. The second ePTFE tube exhibits enhanced radial strength in excess of the radial tensile strength of the first tube.

Abstract: A control circuit for scanning a pressure or force responsive sensor array is disclosed. Pressure or force sensors formed of an array of pressure or force responsive sensor elements can be used to acquire pressure or force measurements in response to an applied load. The control circuit can sample signals from the sensor elements to detect the pressure or force at one or more sensor elements of the sensor array. The circuit herein may provide for relatively faster scan rates. A user may define a subset or subsets of sensor elements of the sensor array to be scanned. Various methods and related circuitry for adjusting for sensor characteristics are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control circuit for scanning a pressure or force responsive sensor array is disclosed. Pressure or force sensors formed of an array of pressure or force responsive sensor elements can be used to acquire pressure or force measurements in response to an applied load. The control circuit can sample signals from the sensor elements to detect the pressure or force at one or more sensor elements of the sensor array. The circuit herein may provide for relatively faster scan rates. A user may define a subset or subsets of sensor elements of the sensor array to be scanned. Various methods and related circuitry for adjusting for sensor characteristics are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable microporous ePTFE tubular vascular graft exhibits long term patency, superior radial tensile strength and suture hole elongation resistance. The graft includes a first ePTFE tube and a second ePTFE tube circumferentially disposed over the first tube. The first ePTFE tube exhibits a porosity sufficient to promote cell endothelization, tissue ingrowth and healing. The second ePTFE tube exhibits enhanced radial strength in excess of the radial tensile strength of the first tube.

Abstract: Crosslinked compositions formed from water-insoluble copolymers are disclosed. These compositions are copolymers having a bioresorbable region, a hydrophilic region and at least two cross-linkable functional groups per polymer chain. Crosslinking of these polymers can be effected in solution in organic solvents or in solvent-free systems. If crosslinking occurs in a humid environment, a hydrogel will form. If crosslinking occurs in a non-humid environment, a xerogel will form which will form a hydrogel when exposed to a humid environment and the resulting crosslinked materials form hydrogels when exposed to humid environments. These hydrogels are useful as components in medical devices such as implantable prostheses. In addition, such hydrogels are useful as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents and as scaffolding for tissue engineering applications.

Abstract: A bioresorbable sealant composition useful for impregnating implantable soft-tissue prostheses includes at least two polysaccharides in combination to form a hydrogel or sol-gel. The sealant compositions may optionally include a bioactive agent and/or be cross-linked subsequent to application of these compositions to the substrate surface.

Abstract: Medically useful compositions, methods and devices comprising insoluble particulate imaging agents are described. The individual particles of the imaging agents of these compositions, methods and devices exhibit regular, smooth morphologies and uniform particle size distributions that allow for enhanced endovascular delivery of the compositions to a mammalian body.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the formation of hydrogels by the intensive mixing of aqueous compositions containing copolymers of opposite chirality. Such hydrogels may he bioresorbable and are useful for medical applications within mammalian bodies.

Abstract: Processes for modifying the viscosity of medically useful polymerizable compositions are described. The processes are carried out by providing an oxygen-free fluid composition comprising one or more polymerizable monomers and subsequently irradiating the composition with a controlled dose of high-energy radiation sufficient to effect a desired viscosity increase. Compositions produced via these process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Processes for modifying the viscosity of medically useful cyanoacrylate compositions are described. The processes are carried out by providing to a fluid composition comprising a polymerizable monomer a controlled dose of high-energy radiation sufficient to effect a viscosity increase to a precise predetermined value. Compositions produced via these process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Crosslinked compositions formed from water-insoluble copolymers are disclosed. These compositions are copolymers having a bioresorbable region, a hydrophilic region and at least two cross-linkable functional groups per polymer chain. Crosslinking of these polymers can be effected in solution in organic solvents or in solvent-free systems. If crosslinking occurs in a humid environment, a hydrogel will form. If crosslinking occurs in a non-humid environment, a xerogel will form which will form a hydrogel when exposed to a humid environment and the resulting crosslinked materials form hydrogels when exposed to humid environments. These hydrogels are useful as components in medical devices such as implantable prostheses. In addition, such hydrogels are useful as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents and as scaffolding for tissue engineering applications.